APPROACH AND PURPOSE

Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business was founded more than fifty years ago by the Rev. Joseph Sebes, S.J., a professor in the School of Foreign Service, who believed that an understanding of commercial markets was essential to worldwide political stability. The school was named for alumnus Robert Emmett McDonough, a major benefactor.

Students in the McDonough School of Business are held to a high standard of academic integrity and are expected to display excellence in character, as well as intellect. Faculty members foster an environment for learning by selecting techniques that challenge students to take an active role in the education process. Faculty are extremely engaged, bringing their research into the classroom and involving students in their scholarly pursuits, as well as exposing them to practical aspects of the business world.

The McDonough School of Business combines core requirements in business and liberal arts to provide students with a strong foundation in critical thinking and reasoning. During the first and second years, the primary academic emphasis is on the liberal arts core. Students complete courses in subjects, such as English, philosophy, theology, and history, while beginning the business coursework and taking courses in accounting, marketing, finance, business statistics, operations, and economics. In their junior and senior years, students complete coursework in their major. McDonough strongly supports students who would like to choose a minor in one of the nearly 50 liberal arts disciplines in the College. This blend of wide-ranging liberal studies and business courses creates opportunities for students to pursue diverse areas of interest.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of Georgetown’s location in the nation’s capital to pursue internships in private industry, government, or non-profit organizations. Students have many opportunities within McDonough and the larger university community to serve other students and the community. The Undergraduate Program Office works closely with students to select courses and co-curricular activities that closely match their personal educational goals, while still meeting the McDonough’s degree requirements.

The McDonough School of Business opened the doors of its new state-of-the art building in 2009. With a stunning glass pavilion, wireless classrooms, and a unique colloquium space, the building is designed to facilitate maximum interaction between students and faculty. The new building is located at the center of Georgetown’s campus, signaling McDonough’s historical roots within the Georgetown community, as well as its current identity—a premier business school dedicated to shaping global business leaders.

PROGRAMS

The baccalaureate program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). McDonough offers the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree with six areas of major study.

ACCOUNTING

The major in accounting includes required courses in financial and managerial accounting, and electives in more specialized courses including financial statement analysis, auditing, and taxation. The program includes tracks for accounting majors who plan to become practicing accountants or auditors and for accounting/finance double majors who plan to work in the securities industry. The major provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in business law, tax law, and economics. Graduates have pursued careers with a wide variety of organizations, including public accounting firms, not-for-profit and government agencies, corporations, investment banks, hedge funds, and private equity firms.

FINANCE

The finance major provides a comprehensive background in the areas of corporate finance, investments, international finance, and financial institutions in a global environment. Elective courses are offered in specialized fields such as investment banking, derivatives, fixed income, real estate finance, corporate governance, and financial statement analysis. Many finance graduates accept positions with top investment banks and leading commercial banks. Other finance graduates accept employment in corporate and government financial management or consulting. Finance majors are also well-prepared for graduate study in business, finance, or law.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

A major in international business prepares students to understand and apply business skills in accounting, finance, management, marketing, and operations in a cross-cultural and global context. Students gain competence in conducting business within and between markets and in understanding the environmental forces and policies that shape them.

Students who major in International Business choose between two major options. Option 1: International Business Regional Studies gives students the opportunity to focus on the politics and economics of a particular geographical region. Option 2: International Political Economy and Business provides a global perspective on international business and trade.

MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP, AND INNOVATION

The Management, Leadership, and Innovation (MLI) major is an interdisciplinary major grounded in the organizational, social, and behavioral sciences. MLI courses draw on theory from these disciplines and a wide variety of practical and experiential approaches. The major’s goals are to help students develop the managerial, interpersonal, organizational, communication, analytical, and diagnostic skills necessary to succeed in a wide variety of industries and occupations. In addition, the MLI major helps students to work and lead effectively in increasingly diverse organizations; think creatively, act entrepreneurially, and innovate effectively; develop skills in managing human and social capital; understand the ways in which individuals, groups, and organizations change; and communicate effectively. The MLI major prepares students for a wide range of job opportunities in management consulting firms, innovative and entrepreneurial ventures, for-profits and non-profits, and any organization where excellent teamwork and strong interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills are critical success factors.

MARKETING

Marketing identifies customers’ needs and desires and then delivers and/or develops products and services that bring value to these needs and desires. Thus, marketers create value for the customer and firm, communicate that value to constituents, deliver value through proper channel alignment, and capture that value in a manner that fairly serves the customer and profits the firm. These activities apply to the non-profit world as well. Marketing majors study topics such as marketing management and strategy, marketing research, product development and management, brand management, touchpoint and channel management, integrated marketing communications, pricing models, and global marketing.

OPERATIONS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Recent shifts in product and service markets have resulted in an unprecedented demand for professionals who can successfully apply central principles of operations and technology management. The Operations and Information Management major provides students with the necessary analytical and technological skills to analyze problems and devise innovative and practical solutions. Students who major in Operations and Information Management have two major options: Operations, Analytics, and Systems or Managerial Computing. Graduates with the OPIM major pursue careers in consulting, investment banking, market research, and management positions that require a combination of quantitative skills and knowledge of business processes.

INDIVIDUALIZED MAJOR

An individually tailored program may be developed for students whose career goals and objectives are not easily met by one of the standard majors.

The student who chooses the individualized major should select a faculty member who, in consultation with the student, will chart a course of study including relevant business and other courses in the University that would best meet the student’s needs.

The proposed individualized major should be submitted in writing to the Director of the Undergraduate Program with both the student’s and faculty member’s signatures and, if approved, placed in the student’s file. All amendments to the major should also be submitted in writing and approved by the Director of the Undergraduate Program.

FIVE-YEAR BSBA/MSFS PROGRAM

The McDonough School of Business and the Graduate School of Georgetown University offer a five-year BSBA/MSFS (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Master of Science in Foreign Service) Program. Third-year students in the McDonough School of Business who have maintained an honors academic average are eligible to apply to the Master of Science in Foreign Service. Successful applicants matriculate fully into the graduate program in the fourth year and receive the BSBA and MSFS degrees simultaneously upon completion of the fifth year of coursework (selected courses must satisfy the divisional and elective requirements of both programs). Admission to the BSBA/MSFS Program is competitive and students must satisfy all published application procedures for the Graduate School and MSFS except the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants must meet with an advisor in the Undergraduate Program Office and an MSFS Admissions staff member prior to submitting an application to determine suitability for the program. These meetings should occur no later than the first semester of the sophomore year.

To be competitive, BSBA students should have a 3.7 cumulative GPA, substantial study abroad experience, work and/or internship experience connected to international affairs, and advanced proficiency in a foreign language.

CREDIT FOR ROTC COURSES

Business students who participate in the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) program may receive up to a maximum of 12 credits of Military Science courses applied to the bachelor of science degree in business. This policy is uniform with regard to Army Military Science offered on the main campus of Georgetown University and Naval Science offered at The George Washington University (and would be applied to Air Force at Howard University in the event there is a degree candidate in McDonough in the future). Courses offered at 3 credits will be applied first, and courses offered at less than 3 credits may be allowed up to the limit of 12 credits total. All 12 credits may contribute to the 120 credits required for the degree.

PREPARATION FOR GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS

Although the majority of the McDonough School of Business graduates begin their professional careers immediately after graduation, a number of graduates elect further education, generally in law and, after some work experience, in business. McDonough graduates have been highly successful in gaining admission to many of the nation’s top MBA and law programs. Georgetown makes every attempt, through its curriculum and advising system, to provide its students with the best possible preparation for further study.

PRE-LAW PREPARATION

While there is no “pre-law concentration,” the McDonough School of Business curriculum provides an excellent opportunity to develop the analytical, verbal, and writing skills necessary for success in the legal profession. In particular, Taxation I and II and Business Law I and Corporate Law provide exposure to law and legal analysis. The student’s elective courses also can be used to enroll in relevant courses in other schools of the University. For example, courses in English, government, ethics, and logic, among others, may be elected to round out a stimulating pre-law program.

Students contemplating such programs should consult closely with the advisors in the Undergraduate Program Office, with the “pre-law” faculty advisor in McDonough, and with the “pre-law” advisor at the Career Education Center.

CAREER ADVISING

The Undergraduate Office of Professional Development (OPD) works in tandem with the Career Education Center to provide a continuum of professional and career advising throughout the student’s undergraduate career. OPD works to enhance classroom learning with co-curricular and extra-curricular career development activities to help students compete in a variety of industries. This includes programming such as one-on-one coaching, workshops, panels, career treks, and coaching for students pursuing internships and full-time employment. The programming is within the context of Georgetown's commitment to educating and caring of the whole person - cura personalis - which encourages focus on each student's unique strengths. Students learn the tools, skills, and knowledge needed to effectively improve the management of organizations.

LEARNING GOALS FOR UNDERGRADUATES AT MCDONOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

The mission of the McDonough School of Business is to educate students to be ethically responsible and effective global business leaders. Our goal is that students be able to improve the management of existing organizations and create new ones in order to responsibly help raise global standards of living. The learning goals focus on business knowledge; management, analytical, and communication skills; and unique Georgetown perspectives.

Business Knowledge and Analytical Skills

Learning Goal

Our graduates will have the knowledge and the analytical, management, and quantitative skills necessary to advance organizations and improve their performance.

Learning Outcomes

Our students will master the key frameworks, models, and skills that reflect the body of knowledge in their major, and will apply discipline-based habits of analytical thinking to problems and opportunities.

Our students will be skilled in the analysis of both qualitative information and quantitative data. They will be able to frame problems, apply appropriate analytical techniques, and draw valid conclusions and recommendations.

Ethical and Social Justice Perspective

Learning Goal

Our graduates will develop an understanding of business that reflects the moral responsibility of management to all relevant stakeholders and the natural environment.

Learning Outcomes

Our graduates will understand the cultural and ethical complexities of conducting business on a global scale and be able to suggest appropriate courses of action.

Our students will understand how to integrate the Jesuit ideal of “service to others” in their leadership and business practices.

Our students will understand the importance of and techniques for measuring the impact of firms on people and their natural environment.

Global Perspective

Learning Goal

Our graduates will develop a global and multicultural perspective on the business enterprise and acquire the leadership skills necessary to be a successful leader in a global organization.

Learning Outcomes

Our students will learn about the ways national culture, law, and other social structures affect organizations and the ways that organizations affect their host countries.

Our students will develop the skills and perspective needed for effective leadership in a multicultural environment.

Our students will learn to apply the analytical content of their major in an international setting.

Communication Skills

Learning Goal

Our graduates will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of settings to advance organizational objectives and to meet challenges.

Learning Outcomes

Our students will be able to synthesize and summarize information and to professionally communicate their analyses, arguments, and recommendations to a variety of audiences.

Our students will be skilled in written, oral, and visual communication and will be able to effectively choose communication methods that are appropriate to the topic, objective, and setting.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Graduation and the awarding of the BSBA degree is dependent upon satisfactory completion of the following:

A minimum of 120 semester hours;

Successful completion of 40 courses of three or four credits (6-credit language courses count as two courses);

A final cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher;

Completion of the Liberal Arts and University Core requirements;

Completion of McDonough’s Core requirements;

Selection and completion of a major and its listed requirements;

Completion of free electives as needed to satisfy the 40 course requirement.

Note: The final transcript of graduates includes the listing of all majors and minors, as well as final GPA. Once a degree is conferred, additional coursework taken as a special student at Georgetown or elsewhere may not be applied to an incomplete major or minor.

CREDIT AND WITHDRAWALS/TUITION REFUNDS FOR 1.5-CREDIT COURSES

Tuition Refunds

Should a student withdraw from a 1.5 credit course and drop below 12 credits, credit for tuition will be calculated from the date the Senior Associate Dean is notified according to the following percentages:

1st week: 100%

2nd week: 80%

3rd week: 70%

4th week: 50%

5th week: 40%

Withdrawal from a Course

To withdraw from a course a student must submit an official request to the Undergraduate Program Office. If a student does not complete a course for which the student is registered and from which the student has not officially withdrawn, a failure will be recorded for that course. The withdrawal period for 1.5-credit courses will last 5 weeks into the course (one-half the length of a withdrawal period for a 3-credit course). Courses dropped through this withdrawal period will be shown on a student's record with a 'W' grade. No student at any time may withdraw from courses to the point of becoming a part-time student (i.e., registered for eleven or fewer credits) without the permission of the Senior Associate Dean.

Enrollment and Add/Drop Period

We recommend the following guidelines for students enrolling in 1.5-credit courses:

Students should take the equivalent of five 3-credit courses, if they want to enroll in one 1.5-credit course. (This will allow them to remain as a full-time student if they drop or withdraw from a course.)

Students should take the equivalent of four 3-credit courses, if they want to enroll in two 1.5-credit courses. (This will allow them to remain as a full-time student if they drop or withdraw from a course.)

The add/drop period for 1.5-credit courses is the first week of class (two class sessions) for both halves of the semester to allow students to make changes to their schedule without academic or financial penalty.

Given that two 1.5-credit courses are needed to count as one, 3-credit course, students are encouraged to enroll in two 1.5-credit courses within one academic year.

In addition, students are not permitted to take more than two 200-level 1.5 credit courses each semester. Students who take two such courses in a semester must take one in each quarter.

FIRST YEAR SEMINAR: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, PUBLIC POLICY, AND SOCIETY

The First Year Seminar (FYS) is an exciting way for first-year business students to explore the nature of scholarship, think about important ideas in business, and foster intellectual and personal growth while adapting to the rigor of college-level courses. The program offers small seminars (approximately 20 students) that create a supportive learning and service community. Throughout the program, students strengthen critical academic reading and writing skills necessary for success in college and explore intellectual links to a variety of business disciplines, including global public policy.

An integral part of the FYS is the case competition, which challenges students organized as teams to develop a business solution for strategic problems and issues facing a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. Faculty and advanced undergraduates coach each team, and the finalists present their strategic recommendations to executives at the client organization.

Students in FYS meet several times during the semester to hear lectures by external experts and members of the world-class faculty at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, who will illustrate how scholarly research in the different fields can inform important questions in international business, public policy, and society. At least one of these lectures will be delivered by the head of the client organization of the program’s case competition.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP FELLOWS PROGRAM

The Entrepreneurship Fellows Program (EFP) was designed specifically for undergraduate students with an interest in further exploring entrepreneurship. Through a combination of coursework and co-curricular activities, students develop the tools and mindset needed to launch a venture and to succeed in an entrepreneurial environment. EFP will help students understand his or her own personal entrepreneurial aptitude, learn lessons from entrepreneurial mentors and faculty, bond with their entrepreneurial peers and experienced mentors, and be equipped to pursue an entrepreneurial career in either new or existing organizations.

Requirements

An undergraduate student in any of the four undergraduate schools at Georgetown can complete the program by doing the following:

Students are invited to apply to the program during the first semester of their sophomore year. Once admitted to the program, students will begin their studies with STRT-280 as early as the spring of their sophomore year. There is some flexibility in scheduling these courses to allow for students who spend a semester abroad to complete the program. However, STRT-295 is a prerequisite for MGMT-208 and must be completed at some point during the junior year.

THE CORE REQUIREMENTS

The Liberal Arts Core and the McDonough School of Business Core requirements are as follows:

University Core

(7 courses)

Writing

3 courses

Philosophy/Ethics

2 courses

Theology

2 courses

Diversity - Global and Domestic

2 courses (over-lay requirement)

Liberal Arts Core

(12 courses)

Economics

2 courses

Mathematics (Calculus)

1 course

History/Government/Classics

2 courses

Liberal Arts Electives

7 courses

Business Core

(11 courses)

Accounting I and II

2 courses

Business Statistics

1 course

Business Law I or Business Government Relations

1 course

Computational Business Modeling

(1 credit)

Management Science

1 course

Management and Organizational Behavior

1 course

Principles of Marketing

1 course

Business Financial Management

1 course

Production and Operations Management

1 course

Strategic Management

1 course

Social Responsibility of Business

1 course

Economics Requirement

The economics requirement is fulfilled by completing Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON-001, ECON-002). McDonough students with a score of 4 on both exams (Macro and Micro) are encouraged to take ECON-003 and one additional ECON course (either ECON-101, 102, 103, or 104), instead of ECON-001 and 002, to complete their one year of required economics. These courses must be completed by the end of the second year.

For a score of 5 on the Microeconomics exam, the student will receive three credits for ECON-001 (Principles of Microeconomics). For a score of 5 on the Macroeconomics exam, the student will receive three credits for ECON-002 (Principles of Macroeconomics). Students with a score of 5 on both of the AP exams may proceed to upper level courses and cannot take any of the principle courses (ECON-001, 002 and 003). Students with a score of 5 on only one of the AP exams normally take the opposite principles course. If the student takes ECON-003 (Principles of Economics: Macro and Micro), they will forfeit the AP credit in economics.

Writing Requirement

The writing requirement is fulfilled by completing WRIT-015: Writing and Culture Seminar, a Humanities: Arts, Literatures and Cultures (HALC) course and Integrated Writing (IW) course. Writing is the primary basis upon which your work, learning, and intellectual ability will be judged. Through this writing requirement, each student will be challenged to enhance their oral and written skills.

The HALC courses will provide an interdisciplinary backdrop for exploring literary works, as well as artistic and cultural expressions.

The Integrated Writing requirement is completed as part of the major. Integrated Writing courses focuse on writing styles that are specific to the discipline, including, in many cases, translating expert knowledge for non-expert audiences. Students in the McDonough School of Business may satisfy this requirement by enrolling in a First Year Seminar or business communication courses.

Mathematics Requirement

The mathematics requirement is four hours at the calculus level or above and must be completed by the end of the first year. Normally this requirement is satisfied by completing Calculus I (MATH-035). Adequate preparation for a calculus course normally requires four years of high school mathematics, including one-half year of trigonometry. Students who are deficient in mathematical skills will be required to take Calculus with Review (MATH-029) before Calculus I (MATH-035). Calculus with Review will fulfill one liberal arts elective requirement. Students who desire to take more advanced mathematics courses may do so provided they have sufficient background.

Philosophy Requirement

To fulfill the philosophy requirement, all students must take two courses: one in general philosophy and one in ethics. The first course must be an introductory course and the second may be an introductory or “bridge” course in philosophy. See department course listing for further details.

Theology Requirement

Two semesters of theology are required of all students for graduation. To fulfill this requirement, students may complete any two introductory courses offered by the Theology Department (THEO-001–099). “The Problem of God” (THEO-001) or “Introduction to Biblical Literature” (THEO-011) should be the first theology course taken.

History/Government/Classics/INAF Requirement

Students may choose any two introductory courses from the Departments of Government, History or choose from among certain history-based classics (offered by the Classics Department) or International Affairs (INAF) courses. Any classics or INAF course taken to fulfill this requirement must be approved by the Undergraduate Program Office prior to registration for the course. The course must have sufficient historical content to meet this requirement.

Diversity REQUIREMENT

The core requirement in diversity consists of two courses exploring diversity. Students take one course on diversity within the domestic context and the other on diversity on a global scale. Both of these courses typically overlap with other core requirements, which means that students are able to satisfy this requirement while fulfilling other core courses as well. Courses that satisfy the diversity requirement are marked in the Class Schedule search page (schedule.georgetown.edu) with the attribute “Diversity.” Note that not all sections of a course will satisfy the core diversity requirement since many times different sections of the same course will have different emphases.

Liberal Arts Electives

The seven electives required to complete the liberal arts core may be taken in any liberal arts area offered by the University. Please note:You may apply up to two ECON courses towards your seven liberal arts electives.STIA courses do not count as liberal arts electives.

Free Electives

Free electives may be completed in either liberal arts fields or in business studies. Only free electives may be taken pass/fail.

GUIDE TO COURSE SCHEDULING

The normal course load in The McDonough School of Business is five courses per semester. Special permission is required to take fewer than four or more than five courses per semester; students should discuss program implications with the Undergraduate Program Office.

To satisfy the twelve-course business core requirement, all students should complete Accounting I, Computational Business Modeling, and Business Statistics the first year. During the second and third years, all students must complete the following: Accounting II, Business Law I (or Business Government Relations), Management and Organizational Behavior, Principles of Marketing, Management Science and Business Financial Management. During the third year, students should complete both Strategic Management, and Productions and Operations Management. Finally, during the fourth year, students must complete the capstone course, Social Responsibility of Business. In addition to all core requirements, students must complete discipline-specific courses in one or two of the undergraduate business majors (see below).

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

ACCOUNTING (15 CREDIT HOURS)

Required Courses:

Intermediate Accounting I

Intermediate Accounting II

Three electives, which could include:

Advanced Accounting

Auditing

Corporate Law

Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting

Decision Support Systems

Financial Statement Analysis

Taxation I

Taxation II

Students planning to sit for the CPA examination should consult the Undergraduate Program Office, the accounting faculty, and their state Boards of Accountancy regarding specific requirements. Few states will allow a candidate for the CPA to take the examination with only 26 credit hours of preparation (including Accounting I–II), and many states require as many as 30 or more hours of accounting courses. Many potential CPA candidates will have to take several accounting electives in addition to the required five courses.

FINANCE (15 CREDIT HOURS)

Required Courses:

Applied Financial Management

Principles of Investment

International Finance

Two electives, which could include:

Fixed Income Markets

Corporate Governance and Valuation

Derivatives and Financial Markets

Financial Statement Analysis

Financial Analysis and Modeling

Global Financial Institutions

Investment Banking

Real Estate Finance

Entrepreneurial Finance

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS (18 CREDIT HOURS)

Option 1: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS REGIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES

This option requires 6 courses, one of which can count toward other McDonough majors and two of which can, where applicable, count towards the Liberal Arts electives requirements.

International Political Economy: GOVT-288 or Business Government Relations: STRT-265 or INAF-252

Choose one course from the following list:

Global Fin. Markets and Institutions: FINC-249

International Finance: FINC-250

International Finance: ECON-244

Marketing Across Borders: MARK-229

Institutions for International Trade: STRT-268

Complete an approved international study abroad program

MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP, AND INNOVATION (15 CREDIT HOURS)

Required Courses:

Managing Human Capital

Two courses from the following:

Communicating for Business Leadership

Courage and Moral Leadership

Management Consulting

Imagination and Creativity

Leadership

Two courses from either the above list or:

Organizational Design and Change

Negotiations

Intercultural Communications

Managing Corporate Communication

Communication Tech for Managers

Innovation and New Idea Management

Project Management

eCommerce

Entrepreneurship

New Product Management

Launching the Venture

Social Entrepreneurship: Leading Social Change

MARKETING (15 CREDIT HOURS)

Required courses:

Marketing Intelligence (3 credits)

Marketing Strategy Analytics (3 credits)

Consumer Behavior (3 credits)

Competence Electives for a total of 3 credits, from the following courses:

Branding (3 credits)

Marketing Across Borders (3 credits)

Communications/Digital Media (3 credits)

Electives for a total of 3 credits, which could include:

Advertising and Public Relations Management (1.5 credits)

Electronic Commerce

Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Corporate Communications

Global Retail Marketing (1.5 credits)

Luxury Marketing (1.5 credits)

Entrepreneurial Finance

Sports Marketing (1.5 credits)

Social Marketing (1.5 credits)

General Psychology

Social Psychology

OPERATIONS AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (15 CREDITS)

Major 1: Operations, Analytics and Systems

A total of 15 credits, including two required courses and three electives.

Required Courses

Decision Analysis and Support Systems: OPIM-258

Global Logistics/Supply Chain Management: OPIM-262

Electives

Two electives must be from Section A; the third can be from Section A or B.

Section A: OPIM Courses

Information Technology and Systems Management: OPIM-251

Electronic Commerce: OPIM-256

Developing and Managing Databases: OPIM-257

Project Management: OPIM-259

Business Forecasting: OPIM-274

Real Options Valuation: OPIM-277

International Operations: OPIM-296

Section B: Cross-Disciplinary Courses

Derivatives: FINC-255

Financial Mathematics: MATH-322

Entrepreneurial Finance: FINC-265

Marketing Intelligence: MARK-221

Approved COSC courses (Excluding COSC 010 and COSC 160)

Major 2: Managerial Computing

A total of 18 credits, including three required courses and three electives*.

Required Courses

Decision Analysis and Support Systems: OPIM-258

Introduction to Computer Science Using Ruby: COSC-051

Introduction to Information Systems: COSC-052 or OPIM-251**

Electives (Choose 3)

Global Logistics/Supply Chain Management: OPIM-262

Electronic Commerce: OPIM-256

Project Management: OPIM-259

Developing and Managing Databases: OPIM-257

Introduction to Information Privacy: COSC-011

*At most two of these courses can be counted as Liberal Arts Electives.
**Credit cannot be given for both COSC-016 and OPIM-251.

Documenting Major(s) and Minor(s)

All students must officially declare all majors and minors prior to the end of the spring semester of sophomore year.

Declaring a Major

The major areas enable students to achieve a command of one or two of the business disciplines. When students declare their major(s), they will be assigned a faculty advisor (a mentor from within their chosen field of study). This mentor-student relationship is designed to enable students to benefit from faculty expertise in their chosen major. Students are encouraged to seek faculty advice in addition to that provided by the Undergraduate Program Office. Students may declare a double major, but only two courses counted toward the first major may be counted toward the second major. In other words, students must take at least three courses that are not counted toward the first major, or at least eight courses total, to declare a double major. Students may not pursue a triple major. All students in McDonough are encouraged to discuss major and course choices with their academic advisors, faculty advisors, career education center advisors, and prospective employers.

Declaring a Minor

Students may elect a minor from among the many departments within Georgetown College. Many McDonough students select minors from among the liberal arts offerings. The general requirements for minors are listed in the Bulletin under the course offerings for the appropriate departments. Students seeking a minor should consult with the appropriate department to obtain authorization and complete the Declaration of Minor Form. Successful completion of the minor will be noted on the student’s final transcript, together with the major. Business students may not elect a minor within The McDonough School of Business, School of Foreign Service, or School of Nursing and Health Studies.

ADMINISTRATION

Administrative Structure

The McDonough School of Business is administered by the Dean who is responsible for the overall direction and development of the School, a Deputy Dean of Faculty, a Senior Associate Dean who is Director of the Undergraduate Program, two or more Assistant Deans, and several Associate Directors or Academic Counselors. An administrative and budget manager provides support services.

The Undergraduate Program Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and is the central source of information for students regarding academic and administrative affairs.

Students should check the McDonough website (http://msb.georgetown.edu) for announcements, information and forms. Students are responsible for checking their e-mail regularly for important academic information.

Validation of Business Courses

When a transfer student requests transfer credit for a business course that has been taken at another institution, the student may be asked to validate the course by passing an examination on the subject material covered in the equivalent course(s) at Georgetown.

All validation processes are administered through the Undergraduate Program Office.

With the exception of summer school courses listed in the usual departments of the four undergraduate schools on campus (College, SFS, MSB and NHS), McDonough students may not enroll in courses offered through the School of Continuing Studies for its various degrees, certificates and special programs.

Transfer Admissions Policy

Transfer Admissions

External applicants for transfer admission must have completed one semester of at least 12 credit hours prior to being accepted to McDonough. Internal candidates for transfer must have completed one year of study at Georgetown prior to being accepted to McDonough and should have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students currently enrolled in another school within the University who are interested in transferring should contact the Undergraduate Program Office.

Transfer Credit for College Courses Taken Prior to Matriculation

Incoming students who have taken a course(s) at another college or university during high school may request Georgetown credit (at most 12 credits) provided the following guidelines are met: (1) the course was taught at a four year accredited college or university, (2) the course was taught by a regular member of the college or university faculty, (3) the course was open to regular college or university students and was not designed specifically for high school students, (4) the course was recorded by the college or university on an official transcript, (5) the course did not count toward fulfillment of a high school graduation requirement, (6) the course was taken during junior year in high school or later, and (7) a grade of “C” or above was earned. In addition to meeting all of these guidelines, a copy of the course syllabus and an official transcript should be forwarded to the Undergraduate Program Office (along with a letter from the registrar of the college where courses were taken, verifying above criteria were met), for review and determination of whether credit will be awarded. The total number of courses taken away from Georgetown after matriculation cannot exceed twelve credit hours (generally four courses).

Transfer Credit for Summer Courses Taken Away from Georgetown University

The McDonough School of Business adheres to the following guidelines regarding study away from Georgetown University:

Students are expected to fulfill required business courses at Georgetown. Summer courses should be liberal arts requirements, electives, or enrichment offerings.

Summer courses may be taken at a four-year accredited institution or a community college for transfer credit.

Only one course may be taken away at a community college, and it must adhere to the following guidelines:
a) the course must be either a free or liberal arts elective course.
b) the course may not be a required course (i.e., ECON-001/002, MATH-035, HUMW, HIST/GOVT, PHIL, or THEO).

Students may transfer credit for a total of 12 credits completed at non-Georgetown programs. Students may not take more than four courses in one summer without approval.

Students must receive a grade of a “C” or above to transfer credit from another institution
(Remember—courses taken as pass-fail will not transfer nor will a "C-").

Classes must meet for a minimum of 35 classroom hours or more (typically over 4 weeks). Four credit
courses will require additional classroom hours.

If you will be attending a university that meets on a quarter system, please be advised that a five-unit class normally equates to a three-credit course at Georgetown University.

Up to two on-line summer courses may be accepted for credit from an accredited institution. The course and syllabus requires approval from the Undergraduate Program Office.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

Academic Regulations

Additionally, the McDonough School of Business regulations include the following:

Students may not take more than four courses in any one summer at Georgetown.

Courses taken on an audit basis are not applicable to the 120-credit minimum graduation requirement.

Students who have been placed on probation normally are ineligible to receive an incomplete grade.

Academic Procedures

The Academic Standards Committee is composed of the professional staff in the Undergraduate Program Office and is chaired by the Director of Student Advising and Enrollment. It convenes at the conclusion of the fall and spring semesters to review the academic records of all of the undergraduates in the School. In instances where a student has incurred an academic deficiency, the committee may recommend one of three courses of action: probation, suspension, or dismissal. The chair of the committee notifies the student in writing in the case of probation and the Senior Associate Dean notifies the student in the case of suspension or dismissal. All suspensions and dismissals must be approved by the Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs.

Students who are either dismissed or suspended may appeal the decision of the Standards Committee to the Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, who will refer the student to the Board of Academic Appeals.

The Board of Academic Appeals shall be appointed by the Senior Associate Dean in consultation with the Deputy Dean and consists of three faculty members. No member of the faculty may sit on a board as a voting member if the member:

has at any time taught the student who is appealing;

has at any time acted as an advisor to or employer of the student; or

was a member of the McDonough Academic Standards Committee which made the initial recommendation.

It should be emphasized that the Board of Academic Appeals is an educational hearing board and not a court of law. Its purpose is twofold:

It considers the student’s record in light of the initial decision and accepts any evidence of extenuating circumstances which would warrant the Board to recommend a change in the decision.

It assures the student an opportunity to appear before an impartial board composed of members of the faculty and a student member.

The student should submit to the Senior Associate Dean a written request for an appeal of the initial decision within the time limit of two weeks from the time of notification. The student may then present to the Board evidence which would indicate reasons for the Board to recommend to the Senior Associate Dean a change in the initial decision.

The student may be present for the hearing or if because of extraordinary circumstances the student is unable to be present, he or she may present a written summary of the grounds for the appeal. When presenting the appeal to the Board, the student may appear alone or may bring someone to assist in the presentation.

The student may be present for all stages of the hearing except for the final deliberation by the Board.

The Board may recommend upholding the initial decision or it may recommend a mitigation of that decision. It cannot recommend a harsher decision or completely abrogate the original decision.

The Board’s recommendation is sent in writing to the Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs. It may give explanations or comments and is signed by the members of the Board.

The Senior Associate Dean communicates in writing to the student the final disposition of the matter.

Academic Integrity

See the description of the Georgetown University Undergraduate Honor System in the Academic Regulations section of this Bulletin.

Duplicate Submission of Papers

Any student who wishes to submit a paper, or substantially the same paper, in two (or more) classes must discuss that plan with the concerned faculty members and obtain written approval so that no questions of deficiency might arise at a later time.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Tutorials and Internships

Tutorials. Tutorials will be offered only to juniors or seniors in good academic standing. Students must take a tutorial for a letter grade and may take no more than one tutorial per semester. Tutorials must be approved by the Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs.

Internships in Business. Internships permit the student to select a specific area within the field of business to explore outside the classroom. The purpose of an internship is to provide the student with an understanding of how a business actually operates and how business principles are applied. Students may apply for academic credit through one of the following:

MGMT-310: This course is available to current or rising juniors and seniors and is a three-credit seminar which must be taken for a letter grade. The intern will be required to attend individual and group meetings during the semester and to write a paper. To be considered for credit, all internships must be in the field of business and must provide a significant learning experience for the student. Further information and application forms are available from the Undergraduate Program Office. Students may only enroll in this course once.

MGMT-311/312: This course is offered only pass/fail and is worth one credit. It does not count towards any major nor towards the 40 courses required for graduation. It is offered both semesters of the academic year and during the summer. Students must be in good academic standing to take MGMT-311 (minimum GPA of 2.0), and the course is open to any current or rising sophomore, junior, or senior. Students may take these courses once.

Global Programs

All students enrolled in McDonough are eligible to participate in designated and approved programs abroad, organized through the Office of Global Education. Nearly 40 study abroad programs from across the globe are available to McDonough students for business credit. Programs are available during the full academic year, each semester, and each summer. Students who wish to participate in study abroad programs during the academic year typically have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. (Some full-year and semester abroad programs may require a higher GPA). Students who wish to study abroad during the summer must have a cumulative GPA of 2.7. For specific program information, contact the Office of Global Education or visit: http://studyabroad.georgetown.edu. Study abroad advice and academic planning are available in both the Office of Global Education and the McDonough Undergraduate Program Office. A maximum of 17 credits per semester may be taken abroad. All courses taken abroad must be pre-approved by the McDonough Undergraduate Dean’s Program Office to ensure proper credit transfer. Students requiring financial assistance should consult with their study abroad advisor in the Office of Global Education.

Students wishing to take advantage of short-term summer abroad opportunities can also choose from a wide range of program options and destinations that fit their academic and professional goals. In addition to many short-term programs that are offered through the Office of Global Education, McDonough students can choose from three business-focused programs in high ranking institutions in Hong Kong, Oxford, and Barcelona. The minimum GPA requirement for each of the summer programs is 2.7. The Oxford program will also require students to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Descriptions of these business summer programs are listed below:

The Undergraduate Program offers need-based Undergraduate Dean’s Scholarships for eligible students, who are admitted to the summer study abroad programs.

Global Business Fellows Program

The Global Business Fellows Program is an innovative joint program between the McDonough School of Business and the Walsh School of Foreign Service. This program combines fundamental principles of business with required coursework in international affairs, economics, and languages. Such an interdisciplinary curriculum enables students to analyze and solve challenges that impact business and public policy on a global scale.

Program Design: Students from Georgetown McDonough and SFS will be eligible to apply for admission to the Global Business Fellows Program in their sophomore year. The students will be admitted as a cohort and will progress through the program together. The Fellows program will have three distinctive and inter-related elements: (1) Interdisciplinary Curriculum, (2) the Global Business Experience, and (3) Public Policy Programming. Fellows will take a common set of core courses in business, economics, and international affairs, as well as the capstone Global Business Experience course. Students in the program also will interact with economic leaders and public policy decision-makers in Washington, D.C.

Program Requirements: Students will be admitted as a cohort in January of their second year at Georgetown. This will enable students to work with the academic deans in their respective schools to enroll in the appropriate courses for their sophomore spring. If Fellows wish to enroll in additional MSB/SFS courses, then they will be registered as space allows prior to other non-MSB/non-SFS students.

Application Process: The Undergraduate Program Offices in both SFS and MSB administer the application process. The prerequisites for application to this program are below.

One year of a foreign language (or passing of proficiency exam)

Sophomore standing with solid academic record

Interview with members of selection committee (faculty and staff)

Written essay explaining motivation for joining Global Business Fellows Program

The Global Business Fellows Program will be designated on a student’s transcript, pending approval from the appropriate university officials. In addition, Fellows receive a certificate at graduation.

Summer Programs

Oxford Summer Program

Georgetown University’s Summer Program in Comparative Business at Trinity College at Oxford University compares business functions in Great Britain, Western Europe, and the United States. Participating students take Comparative Strategic Management (STRT-283), fulfilling a core requirement for McDonough students and International Finance (FINC-250), fulfilling one of the upper-level international business courses for both the International Business and Finance major.

Barcelona Summer Program

The Georgetown-Escuela Superior de Administracion y Direccion de Empresas (ESADE) summer program offers Georgetown business students the rare opportunity to study global entrepreneurship and international marketing at one of the world’s most prestigious business schools. This program combines intensive classroom instruction with cultural activities and visits to key centers of economic activity, with particular emphasis on the many small local businesses that play a vital role in Barcelona’s economy and exemplify the city’s entrepreneurial environment. Students participating in this program take Marketing Across Borders (MARK-229), fulfilling an elective course for marketing majors, and Entrepreneurship (STRT-280), fulfilling an elective course for management majors, and a required course for students involved in the Entrepreneurship Fellows Program.

Hong Kong Summer Program

This four-week program is designed to enable McDonough students to undertake study in business strategy and intercultural communication in Hong Kong, one of Asia’s most dynamic and fascinating cities. The program includes a combination of course lectures and seminars, as well as visits to prominent business and cultural sites in Hong Kong. Students will meet with leaders from various governmental and industry entities to gain insight into the important role that Hong Kong plays at the crossroads of global commerce. The visits will allow students to learn about strategy and its application in various contexts. In addition, students will have the opportunity to experience the unique culture, language, and customs of Hong Kong.

Participating students take Comparative Strategic Management (STRT-283), fulfilling a core requirement for McDonough students, and Intercultural Communication (MGMT-205), fulfilling one of the upper-level courses for the Management, Leadership, and Innovation major, as well as an elective requirement for International Business majors studying the Regional Studies track.

Global Social Internship Program in Nicaragua

Rooted in Jesuit traditions that aim to create future leaders who are reflective life-long learners, engage in civic activities, and live their lives in service to others, and in collaboration with the Fabretto Children’s Foundation, the McDonough Undergraduate Program Office has created the Global Social Internship Program. The program is an effort to provide undergraduate students with a transformative platform to engage in service learning and internship opportunities in Nicaragua. As such student interns will spend five weeks in Nicaragua and assist Fabretto with the following activities:

Proposal development

Monitoring and evaluation

Marketing and promotion

Program coordination and support

Students attending this program receive an internship stipend and free housing for their five-week internship with the Fabretto Children’s Foundation.

Case Competitions and Leadership Conferences

The Undergraduate Program Office sponsors elite teams of students at various case competitions and leadership conferences throughout the country and internationally. The competitions present challenging cases, requiring students to apply knowledge from all areas of business study to present innovative solutions. The Undergraduate Program Office teams up with Hilltop Consultants for an annual, non-profit, live case competition at Georgetown University, called The McDonough-Hilltop Business Strategy Challenge.

Community Service

In the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person, the McDonough School of Business recognizes the impact that serving the community can have on a student’s development. McDonough strongly encourages students to participate in community service activities, either on their own or through opportunities offered by the University. Students have the option of an additional credit for significant work in the community, if the work is closely tied to a course in which the student is currently enrolled.

The Alumni Mentor Program

Recognizing the benefits of connecting students with established alumni, McDonough’s Alumni Mentor Program links current undergraduates with local alumni who have made great strides within their professional fields. The Alumni Mentor Program gives undergraduates the opportunity to network with recent graduates and learn from their professional experiences. Participants engage in group events as well as casual, individual meetings with their mentors. The program is small and selective to maximize the level of interaction between alumni and undergraduate students. During the summer, the Alumni Mentor Program connects undergraduates with internships in New York City with mentors in that area.

SPECIAL INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS

Numerous professional student organizations within the McDonough School of Business offer students the chance to network with peers and faculty, take on leadership roles, add depth to their studies, and prepare for careers in business.

The Academic Council for the McDonough School of Business represents the undergraduate student body to the administration and faculty. One elected representative of the Council is a voting member of the School’s Executive Council. The Academic Council’s objectives include 1) providing input on co-curricular activities within the School; 2) developing professional awareness through coordination and assistance to business clubs and organizations; 3) encouraging students and faculty to cooperate in conferences, seminars, and programs designed to challenge student thought; 4) and providing course critiques, surveys, and newsletters to alumni and students.

The Georgetown Accounting Society encourages scholarship among its members, provides accounting and auditing services to the University community, provides student assistance in accounting instruction, and develops a professional attitude toward accounting. Membership in the Society is open to academically qualified students.

The Georgetown Advertising & Marketing Association provides supplemental education and business opportunities for students interested in marketing and related trends in business by hosting speakers and obtaining important contacts with professionals both in business and in government. Also, the Society cultivates job opportunities and possibilities for research through its affiliation with the American Marketing Association and the American Advertising Federation.

The Financial Management Association provides a network of contacts for students interested in finance positions or internships. The FMA brings finance professionals to Georgetown to talk about their work and to supply information about job opportunities. The FMA also provides opportunities for students to place their résumé in a résumé book to be sent to potential employers, and to do some investing as a group. Members receive subscriptions to various financial management publications, as well as other materials and benefits designed to improve future employment potential.

Hilltop Consultants is an undergraduate student organization dedicated to advancing the goals of students interested in management strategy and consulting by raising awareness of the opportunities in these fields. The club is focused on providing skills training, networking, and recruiting opportunities related to strategy and consulting.

The Georgetown University Student Investment Fund, organized as a partnership, provides its members with a working knowledge of the stock market through its investment and research activities. Student investors present new investment proposals and review the current portfolio at each meeting. This forum provides students with a good introduction to the stock market and the investment decision-making process. Membership is open to all students.